NSW Government Welcomes IRC Decision On Staff Specialist Psychiatrists

NSW Gov

The NSW Industrial Relations Commission has made a determination today for Staff Specialist Psychiatrists across New South Wales to receive a 10 per cent attraction and retention allowance for a period of 12 months.

This allowance comes on top of the 10 per cent abnormal duties allowance already paid by NSW Health to all Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.

The NSW Government has always committed to upholding the decision of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and will now deliver this wage rise for Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.

The Minns Labor Government was elected with a clear mandate to scrap the Coalition's unfair wages cap and restore the Industrial Relations Commission as an independent umpire for public sector workers.

The Commission noted in its decision that this was a special case distinct from other pay cases. This is important as the Government had been clear from day one that it could not look at any industrial dispute in isolation from other pay offers, which is why it could not meet the immediate pay rise demands of Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.

The NSW Government and the Doctor's union, ASMOF, both referred this matter to the IRC to ensure a fair, evidence-based, and independent determination of wages for Staff Specialist Psychiatrists.

Staff Specialist Psychiatrists play a vital role in delivering frontline mental health care and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to a fair, modern and sustainable wages policy for all workers, consistent with our Fair Pay and Bargaining Policy.

NSW Health will now work with the Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation and Staff Specialist Psychiatrists to implement this interim decision immediately.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

"I respect the decision of the Industrial relations Commission. This decision goes a long way to address the recruitment and retention issues for our Public Health psychiatrists.

"We have reformed the IRC to ensure it is empowered to resolve these matters independent of a government-imposed wages cap. This decision today demonstrates the system works."

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

"After 12 years of wage suppression, we can now deliver a meaningful wage increase to our Staff Specialist Psychiatrists in recognition of the crucial work they do.

"Our psychiatrists are a valued part of the health system and we now look forward to working with them to strengthen mental health care across our state."

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